Nature Noon – Page 6 – Take a break with nature

5 Fascinating Facts About Matter vs. Antimatter

This is about matter vs. antimatter. Everyday items like lemon are creating antimatter. So if you want to know what matter and antimatter are and how they differ, then you’re in the right place. Let’s get started! #1 What Is the Difference Between Matter and Antimatter? In the beginning, the big bang burst forth, creating a universe made of matter and antimatter. Matter, of course, makes up everything we know and see in the universe. Whereas antimatter is nearly identical to its matter counterpart but carries the opposite spin and charge. When the two counterparts interact, they instantly annihilate one another, leaving behind only energy. Now, equal proportions of matter and antimatter should have been created in the big bang. So, theoretically, all matter should have been destroyed in the early universe, and we should not exist. Yet, something happened to allow the matter to win out, allowing everything we know to come into existence. #2 How Is Antimatter Created? Did you know that everyday items in your home are creating antimatter? Foods containing potassium-40, a naturally occurring radioactive isotope, spit out various antiparticles. For instance, bananas generate one positron (counterpart of the electron) every 75 minutes. Carrots, red meat, beer, lima beans, and several other common foods also produce antimatter particles. However, none of these food items are exposing us to lethal doses of radioactivity. Actually, you would need to eat over 800 bananas in a single day to even reach mild doses of radiation. #3 You Are Creating Antimatter Yes, your own human body is producing and emitting positron antimatter particles. Similar to bananas, your body contains potassium-40, along with trace amounts of carbon-14, uranium, and more. Therefore, as these natural isotopes decay, you emit positron particles every so often. Now, positrons have a positive electric charge. So, upon meeting their electron counterparts with a negative charge, the two instantaneously destroy each other. Therefore, the antimatter particles your body creates only last for a mere moment. #4 Can Humans Make Antimatter? Like most things in life, humans have tried and succeeded in generating manmade antimatter. Laboratories and colliders from all over the world have slowly produced small but measurable amounts of antiparticles. Matter and antimatter interactions have the potential to generate staggering amounts of energy. In fact, a single gram of antimatter can yield the equivalent of an atomic bomb. So, should we be concerned with malevolent people learning the art of antimatter creation? Not currently, no. Even world-renown labs, like CERN and Fermilabs, have generated a combined 15 nanograms of antimatter. Ultimately, this adds up to 0.0000015% of a single gram. In other words, the energy produced by all manmade antimatter would not even boil a pot of water. Producing antimatter in a lab simply costs too much, takes too long to create, and is too difficult to store. Actually, producing a full gram of antimatter would cost millions of billions of dollars and require hundreds of thousands of hours. #5 Where Did All the Antimatter Go? Equal amounts of matter and antimatter should have been created by our universe. Therefore, matter, as we know it, could not have existed. Humans could not exist. However, normal matter somehow won and exists in drastically larger quantities throughout the universe than antimatter. Yet, nobody currently knows what happened to allow the matter to win. Currently, this is one of physics’ hottest topics and largest searches. Actually, some modern theories believe the missing antimatter is still out in space somewhere. The International Space Station even has highly advanced equipment attached to it to help detect antiparticles traveling in cosmic rays. Yet, we currently have little evidence of antimatter existing in bulk anywhere in the universe. Unfortunately, the search continues, and the cause of matter and antimatter asymmetry remains a mystery.

Astronomy

Living On the Moon (What Would Life Be on the Moon?)

This is about how it would be to live on the Moon. How about moonquakes that last an hour? So if you want to know how life on Moon might be, this article is for you. Let’s get started! What Would It Be Like To Live on the Moon? Even as young children, we are familiar with the Moon because it almost always shines bright and sparks our night sky. It’s the second brightest object in Earth’s sky, second only to our Sun. Most people also know that it is the only environment outside of Earth’s atmosphere where humans have set foot. In fact, there is a long list of other interesting facts about our Moon that nearly all people know. But, have you ever asked yourself: what would it be like to live on the Moon? Ignoring the frightening dangers and assuming we currently have the technology to do so, let’s find out what it would be like! Moon – Quick Facts Distance from Sun: 93 million miles Text Message to Earth: Takes about 1 sec. Mass: 1% of Earth Width: 27% of Earth Gravity: 16% of Earth Length of Day: 656 hours (27 x 1 Earth Day) Length of Yea:: 27 days (7% of 1 Earth year) Average Temperature: -4º F Pressure: Unknown Moons: No Rings: No Your Typical Day on The Moon Your new homeland’s day lasts for over 600 hours, or 27 times one Earth day. Even during the day, your sky would always be pitch black because you have no atmosphere to scatter the Sun’s light. On Earth, we know the Sun is rising because the surrounding sky becomes bright and colored. On the Moon, the Sun suddenly appears in the sky. Once it rises, light covers your surface, and temperatures instantly swell to almost 250º Fahrenheit. Since your sky is always black, you also see crystal-clear stars rise with the Sun and continue along across your skies. Speaking of your former home, you would indeed have a spectacular view of Earth. The Moon is in a tidal lock with Earth, meaning as it orbits around Earth, the same side of the Moon is always facing the planet. This is the cause of the infamous “dark side of the Moon!” Because of this, you would always see Earth in roughly the same spot in your sky. You would also be able to see Earth go through phases, just like you saw the Moon do from Earth. Adding to the list of complete opposites, you would occasionally experience a solar eclipse. However, it will now be the Earth that is briefly blocking the Sun. The Earth will temporarily appear as a glowing red-orange ball, blocking most of the Sun’s light from your home. As you venture out to explore your new homeland, you will see smooth plains created from molten lava. With no atmosphere to protect your home, large collisions from the past have left gigantic mountains and deep craters. The largest crater is Aristarchus, located on the North West region. At 25 miles wide and nearly 2.5 miles deep, this monster makes Earth’s Grand Canyon look tiny. For the more adventurous explorers, lava has also left extremely deep holes, leading to large underground caverns in the Moon’s surface. Your Typical Night on The Moon Not surprisingly, your evening on the Moon is similar to your day; pitch black. But, without an atmosphere to trap in heat, your evening temperatures will plunge almost instantly to nearly -250º Fahrenheit. You’ll want to pack a heavy coat. Naturally, you will have no Moon to sparkle in your night sky because…well, you are on it. As explained previously, the Earth will be your main nighttime sky feature now. And, because they are essentially unaffected visually, thousands of beaming stars will decorate your sky. Temperature aside, there are much less pleasant views one could have in the evening. Your Typical Year on The Moon You now have two different ways of viewing your new home’s calendar year: Because of the time, it takes for the Moon to completely revolve around the Earth, you could say a Lunar year is 27 days long. You could also argue that the definition of a year is the time it takes for an object to orbit the Sun. If that is your view, then you could say the Moon has the same year as Earth since it travels around the Sun with the Earth. Regardless of your yearly views, one thing is for sure, your gravity is much different now. At only one-sixth of your previous Earth gravity, you can accomplish some amazing things. If you could throw a football 50 yards on Earth, you can now launch a 300-yard pass. If you weighed 160 pounds when you left Earth, you would now weigh only 25 pounds on the Moon. If you could benchpress 200 pounds in an Earth gym, you are now officially benching 1,200 pounds in your new gym. Wow! Your Local Weather Forecast Your local weather forecast is almost not even worth watching. It’s very predictable. No matter what time of year it is, it will be very hot, then very cold, with no chance of precipitation. One factor you definitely want to stay current with is meteor particles. Without a protective atmosphere, these particles frequently bombard your home and can be as large as golf balls. Think about how much a piece of hail can hurt when it hits you on Earth. Now, imagine the same thing, but with zero resistance. Bottom line that will hurt, so be careful. During the long periods of time when your Moon surface is in the sunlight, deadly radiation will shower your home. During these times, your safest option is to seek shelter around the polar regions of the Moon. In these cool parts, your home will remain free of sunlight for several months out of the year but will clearly be extremely cold. Finally, be aware of moonquakes! This hazardous phenomenon pops up very unexpectedly and is similar to moderate earthquakes. Overall, they are not catastrophic but are fully …

Astronomy

Gravitational Waves for Dummies

This is about gravitational waves. Albert Einstein predicted gravitational waves in 1916. So if you want to learn what gravitational waves are, you’re in the right place. Let’s get right into it! Gravitational Waves Explained in Simple Terms Internet buzz, top-billing on national news, and trending on social media. Yet, the majority of us don’t understand what gravitational waves are, let alone why they are significant to science. Mix in some references to LIGO and interferometers, and you’ve completely lost 99% of us. It is unfortunately tough to find an easy explanation of gravitational waves. The good news: understanding the basics of gravitational waves is not difficult. Let’s dig in! What Are Gravitational Waves? Space is not just an empty void like you might be thinking. It is actually a four-dimensional fabric that we refer to as “spacetime.” When objects (planets, for instance) move through space, they affect this fabric. Imagine dropping a ball into a pool of still water. If you drop a small ball into the pool, it will create small waves that quickly disappear. Now, dropping a bigger ball will create bigger waves that spread much further out in the pool, right? Similarly, bigger and more massive objects, like planets, will create much larger effects, or “ripples” in spacetime fabric. These ripples are gravitational waves. The Background and the Discovery of Gravitational Waves Albert Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves in his Theory of General Relativity in 1916. Scientifically and mathematically, he believed that bodies of a large mass moving through space should cause “ripples” in the fabric of spacetime. But, with no physical evidence to prove because of this, his theory was viewed as a bit “out there” by most people of the time. During several later decades (1970s and 1980s), scientists around the globe used various techniques to directly detect gravitational waves but still had zero physical evidence. Precisely 100 years after Einstein predicted gravitational waves, in 2016, we finally had our physical evidence. A piece of technology called LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational Observatory … say that one five times!) made the discovery and history. This was the initial detection that caused the frenzy of mainstream media. Later in June of 2016, LIGO made a second detection of gravitational waves, further exciting the science community. How LIGO Detects Gravitational Waves LIGO splits a single laser beam into two beams and shoots them out perpendicularly. Both laser beams travel precisely equal distances at equal speeds, bounce off of mirrors, and return. Upon their return, the actual waves that make up each laser beam should be completely aligned with each other unless something affects them. Perhaps gravitational waves? Remember our swimming pool example? To make waves that spread for long distances, a bigger ball was needed, right? LIGO needs an extremely large space object that is capable of creating waves that travel amazingly long distances. So, it focused on two black holes orbiting one another, finally colliding. Black holes are among the most massive and dense objects in our universe, so two of them colliding created gravitational waves of tremendous power. Yet, just like our pool waves, the waves created by the twin black holes eventually fade away as they travel. By the time they reached LIGO, they were a mere fraction of the width of an atom’s nucleus. Think about it, an average human’s body contains around 7,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 atoms (that’s seven billion billion billion!). You can imagine how small an atom must be to fit that many inside of a person. LIGO detected waves that were only a percentage of the size of one of those atoms … that’s amazing. Great, but Why Are These Waves Important? The funny thing is that we don’t actually know why gravitational waves are important yet. But, we do have several reasons for why they could be very important: They give scientists an entirely new way to view and study the universe. When astronomers first realized that they could use x-rays to see things they had never seen before, it opened up several exciting new doors to study space. Gravitational waves are believed can potentially open countless new doors to help us better understand the universe. They allow us to learn more about extreme cosmic events like black holes, pulsars, and neutron stars. For instance, black holes have no light (hence, their name) send no visible information for astronomers to study them. But, the tremendous gravitational waves they create do send us valuable information. Some theories believe gravity is the main ingredient in time itself. If this true, gravitational waves directly affect the very passage of time, which clearly impacts everything in life as we know it. They allow us to confirm current theories (like General Relativity), make updates to them, or create entirely new theories. This helps us become one step closer to having a concrete Theory of Everything. I’d say those are some pretty significant reasons, wouldn’t you agree? There will certainly be new theories and discoveries that emerge as technology advances, and more data is collected. For now, at least you have a truly easy explanation of gravitational waves. It should be simple to impress your friends and family now.

Astronomy

Jupiter’s Great Red Spot: Fascinating Facts

This is about the Jupiter’s Great Red Spot. Jupiter’s Great Red Spot shrinks, but there’s still plenty to learn from it. If you want to learn more about Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s jump right in! Jupiter’s Great Red Spot Is Extremely Hot Due to its far distance from our Sun, gas giant Jupiter should rightfully yield drastically cooler temperatures. But, a new study published in Nature shows that Jupiter’s Great Red Spot temperature is extremely hot. In fact, they are hundreds of degrees hotter than anywhere else on the planet. The mysterious storm, waging on for over 300 years, has puzzled astronomers for decades. The recent findings hope to shed new light on this vexing weather phenomenon. The Search for Great Red Spot Temperature Causes Jupiter’s polar auroras generate strong electricity capable of heating the planet’s atmosphere. However, scientists believe this generated heat should primarily stay confined to the upper and lower latitudes. Ultimately, with its rapid speeds, Jupiter’s atmosphere itself may be a culprit for elevated temperatures. Specifically, the atmosphere surrounding the infamous Great Red Spot. First, the storm swirls at astonishing speeds, whirling atmospheric gases around, creating gravity waves. The waves continue upward, colliding hundreds of miles above the Jovian atmosphere, releasing tremendous energy when they crash. Observing Jupiter’s Great Red Spot Planetary scientist at Boston University, James O’Donoghue, led the study. O’Donoghue used the NASA 3-meter infrared telescope in Hawaii’s Mauna Kea Observatory to monitor above and around Jupiter’s Great Red Spot. His findings indicated no other heat source in the area, leading him to conclusively believe the heat is coming from within or beneath the Red Spot. O’Donoghue was able to search for a specific molecule found in all gas giant planet’s atmospheres. The molecule, H3+, can be examined and used as a tool for scientists to determine temperatures. This is how the team determined the temperature differences in the Great Red Spot and the rest of the planet. Unexpected Findings on Jupiter Ultimately, O’Donoghue also stumbled on more than simply temperature information in his study. Suppose Jupiter’s heat is coming from below the Great Red Spot. In that case, this demonstrates that different levels of Jupiter’s atmosphere affect each other. No other previous study has generated evidence of this. Meanwhile, other recent studies have shown Jupiter’s Great Red Spot to be slowly decreasing in size. This poses a serious concern for O’Donoghue and other scientists. “I hope it doesn’t shrink too much so we can’t understand it before it goes, because that would be a shame,” says O’Donoghue. Given the longevity of the puzzling storm, it’s safe to say it will not likely disappear any time in the very near future. As a key player in the formation of our solar system, Jupiter remains rather mysterious. Yet, with the scientific attention, it is receiving this year, astronomers hope to unlock a wealth of answers and information.

Astronomy

13 Full Moon Names and Their Meanings

This is all 13 full moon names explained. Do you know the phrase once in a blue moon? Do you know the meaning of this phrase? So if you want to learn all full moon names and their meaning, then you’re in the right place. Let’s get right into it! All Full Moon Names and Their Meanings Every month, we get to marvel at a bright, beaming, silver full Moon. No matter where you live on Earth, you have seen one before. But have you ever heard somebody refer to a full Moon as a Strawberry Moon? Or, have you ever used the phrase “once in a Blue Moon” to describe something rare? Every month of our calendar has a uniquely named full Moon. All full Moon names trace back to early Native American tribes and early American farmers. These various Moons were used to help them keep track of each important season. #1 January – Wolf Moon During the deep winter’s night snows of January, hungry wolf packs howled at the full Moon in the woods outside of Native American villages, giving January’s Moon the title of Wolf Moon. #2 February – Snow Moon Since February is typically the month with the most snowfall, tribes gave the month’s full Moon this fitting name. Some tribes also referred to February’s Moon as the Hunger Moon since heavy snows made hunting quite difficult. #3 March – Worm Moon As the lands began to warm in March, Earthworms would slowly reappear, causing birds to come out and signal the end of winter. #4 April – Pink Moon The Pink Moon gets its name from Herb Moss Pink, which was one of the earliest known wide-spreading flowers. These flowers began to appear around April. #5 May – Flower Moon As the name insinuates, flowers have now appeared everywhere during May. #6 June – Strawberry Moon During June, the rather short window to harvest strawberries occurs, giving this full Moon its name. #7 July – Buck Moon July is the month in which tribes would see Buck Deer’s antlers begin to sprout from their heads. #8 August – Sturgeon Moon A Sturgeon is a type of large fish. Since August was the month when Sturgeon were most frequently caught, Native American fishing tribes of the North are credited with this full Moon’s name. #9 September – Corn Moon or Harvest Moon Native American tribes deemed September Moon the Corn Moon as this was the month when corn could be harvested. On the other hand, American farmers refer to this Moon as the Harvest Moon because its late rise and bright light allowed them to work late into the evening during their autumn harvesting season. #10 October – Hunter’s Moon or Blood Moon During this month, deer were now full-fed, and Native American tribes began hunting them to gather meats for the frigid months that lied ahead. #11 November – Beaver Moon During November, beavers are fully preparing for winter, and tribes actively set beaver traps to gather furs for the upcoming cold. #12 December – Cold Moon During December, the winter chill is in full effect, and the nights are now at their longest and coldest. #13 Bonus – Blue Moon A Blue Moon is a second full moon occurring within the same calendar month. This does not occur very often, only around once every 2.5 years. This is why we use the phrase “once in a Blue Moon” to describe something rare.

Astronomy

The History of Hubble Space Telescope

This is about the history of the Hubble Space Telescope. Starting in 1946 with an idea, it’s still orbiting the planet. So if you want to know all about Hubble Space Telescope’s history, then this article is for you. Let’s get started! Hubble Space Telescope’s History Hubble Space Telescope has quietly orbited Earth for just shy of three decades. Indeed, the scope has been our window into deep space, unlocking some of the universe’s greatest mysteries. Not to mention, Hubble has delivered some of mankind’s most detailed, break-taking photos of the cosmos. But, Hubble’s turbulent past and its long road to launch may shock you. Why Build a Space Telescope? Hubble launched in April 1990. However, desires and concepts for space-based optics date back to World War II. Yale professor Lyman Spitzer published his paper, Astronomical Advantages of an Extra-Terrestrial Observatory, in 1946. Primarily, Spitzer detailed how Earth’s atmosphere obstructs starlight, which an extra-terrestrial scope could avoid. Furthermore, Earth’s atmosphere blocks valuable light, like X-rays from stars and galaxies. Whereas telescopes in orbit would receive this light, and thus, far more useful information about our universe. Later, Spitzer headed the national committee to plan such a large orbiting observatory. Finally, in 1969, the committee published its full report, urging the approval and construction of an orbiting space telescope. Overall, the report pleads, in great detail, why a space-based telescope would allow ground-breaking research and development in cosmology. NASA Joins the Party Next, bringing a space telescope to life meant winning NASA’s crucial influence. Firstly, NASA and contractors conducted deep research into the difficulties and hurdles of constructing such a fantastic tool. Among the most important initial decisions, the project’s timeline. Simply put, should small phases gradually work up to the grand, full-sized space telescope? Or, should one large project construct the complete space telescope? Meanwhile, NASA’s plans for a Space Shuttle were now approved and in motion. In particular, the Space Shuttle program vastly widened NASA’s flexibility for lofty and progressive projects. Not to mention, many credit this new flexibility as the tipping point for Hubble’s approval. The Elephant in the Room … Funding At last, with NASA on board, the project that would ultimately become Hubble Space Telescope had a hopeful and promising future. But, one massive piece was still missing, funding. At first, the all-in price tag for the project rang in at $400 to $500 million. Which, at the time, was an astronomical amount of budgeting for space endeavors. In other words, an incredibly tough sell for federal funding. In fact, in 1975, funding was initially denied unanimously by a House Appropriations Committee. Yet, in true competitive spirit, denial only spawned determination. Before long, a full-fledged campaign to build the telescope, pioneered by NASA and influential astronomers, arose. In fact, Spitzer again headed the project, helping lead the charge. Even internationally, what would become the European Space Agency (ESA) lent its hand, providing cost-efficient solar panels. Ultimately, such global synergies birthed plans for international collaboration on this project and future projects, like the International Space Station. In the end, international teamwork scientifically benefits all parties. Not to mention, large costs, previously isolated to one country, could now be split, drastically reducing costs! Furthermore, reductions in telescope mirror sizes and international collaboration eventually brought estimated prices to $200 million, half of the original budget. Finally, in 1977, congress green-lit the budget, and the Large Space Telescope Project was officially born. Construction Begins Construction of Hubble’s delicate mirrors is underway. In 1978, design began with contracts awarded to both Perkin-Elmer Corporation for a mirror and Lockheed Missiles and Space Company for the spacecraft. Originally, a 1983 launch would encounter several long delays. After all, while the mirror was completed in 1981, the final spacecraft assembly would not even begin until 1985. However, 1983 would earn its place in history for naming the telescope after the notable astronomer Edwin P. Hubble. Famous for his research of stars and galaxies, Hubble was the first to discover the universe’s expansion. At Last, Launch Time Arrives … Twice Finally, with Hubble’s assembly complete, NASA prepared for a 1986 launch. However, one of the spaceflight’s greatest tragedies struck. Space Shuttle Challenger launched into the Florida skies on a cold January morning during what seemed a routine launch. Suddenly, only a minute into the flight, Challenger exploded, tragically killing all crew members. Again, Hubble’s launch and future were uncertain. On account of Challenger’s sad demise, NASA delayed all launches indefinitely. Resuming launches in 1988, NASA was again prepared to launch. Finally, on the morning of April 24, 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope launched aboard Discovery. Included in the telescope’s initial payload were the following instruments: Wide Field Planetary Camera Goddard spectrograph Faint Object Camera (FOC) Literally, after decades of waiting and lobbying, Hubble Space Telescope was in orbit, ready to amaze. Blurry Images and Worldwide Broken Hearts Only weeks into its mission, Hubble immediately returns blurry, out-of-focus images. Indeed, the images allowed astronomers to observe and study the cosmos. However, after record-breaking funding and years of planning, Hubble’s images were truly a point of embarrassment and despair. Not to mention, NASA’s reputation was in grave danger. In fact, initial images from the telescope looked like this: An aberration caused part of the high-tech scope’s mirror to be too flat, poorly receiving light. In pure disarray, staff members scrambled to devise a fix for the mirror. A Triumphant, Ground-Breaking Repair Finally, in time for Hubble’s first scheduled maintenance and servicing mission in 1993, a plan was hatched. Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement (COSTAR) would be implemented. Basically, the instruments would compensate for the mirror’s aberrations, allowing the scope to properly function. In December 1993, a record-setting five consecutive spacewalks were conducted, allowing crew members of the STS-61 mission to service Hubble. Ultimately, COSTAR and several new instrument replacements allowed visual corrections for Hubble’s mirrors, thus correcting the problems. Immediately, upon STS-61’s arrival back on Earth, the triumphant mission proved to be a genuine success. At last, Hubble Space Telescope was returning crystal-clear images of the cosmos. Hubble: …

Astronomy

Carl Sagan “Billions and Billions” Book Review

This is a review of the book Billions and Billions: Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium by Carl Sagan. The final book of a modern-day astronomy legend. If you want to get a review of this book, then you’ve come to the right place. Let’s jump right in! “Billions and Billions: Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium” by Carl Sagan Title: Billions and Billions: Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium Author: Carl Sagan Subject(s): Astronomy, Physics, Politics Skill-level: Intermediate Published: 1997, Ballantine Publishing Group Reason to read: The final book of a prolific modern-day astronomy legend. “Billions and Billions” Review Billions & Billions: Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium was the final book of Sagan’s sensational career and life. In light of this and the soon-to-be new millennium, he broaches some of the most enigmatic and sensitive questions regarding our universe. In typical Sagan fashion, the early sections explore the vastness of mathematics, the cosmos, and beyond in an almost poetic essay format. Whereas, later sections tackle our potential future fates and how mankind should- and has been approaching such dilemmas. Sagan dissects politics, global warming, and more in a philosophical plea, imploring us to course-correct our own cosmic destiny. Heartfelt Retrospect No doubt, Carl Sagan goes down as one of the great modern wordsmiths. His phrasing, stunning word choices, and sensitivity breathed a gentle Robert-Frost-like charisma into science. But, Billions and Billions took these qualities to new heights. In fact, from page one, aware of his own time running out, Sagan goes into touching retrospect on his life and career. Brilliantly, the book begins by revealing his lack of ever using the phrase that would be forever associated with him, “billions and billions.” Instead, the phrase spawned from Johnny Carson’s playful impersonations of Sagan in his dozens of late-night guest appearances. Sagan’s emotional entrance gives even first-time Sagan readers a sad yet comforting feeling that they have known him personally their entire lives. In fact, for lack of a better term, the opening chapter almost serves as a science-riddled deathbed speech. A Refreshing Look at Global Warming Today, climate change is everywhere. However, somewhere along the way, it became more of a political and social device than mere scientific concern. Too often, notable personalities use global warming as a scare tactic and blaming tool. Whereas Sagan reveals his deep outlook on the subject in a genuine plea. Actually, it almost feels as though it was a speech originally intended for a congressional hearing. Sagan paints beautiful yet frightening word pictures of how global warming and ozone depletion happen, both by mankind and natural universal forces. Then, There Was Politics Suddenly, Billions and Billions takes a jagged turn for the later sections. Ultimately, these sections prevented a five-star rating, personally. Indeed, pivoting 180 degrees from his aforementioned views on climate change (see above), Sagan’s outlook turns into a rather grim, divisive political rant. Using borderline ill-will, Billions and Billions casts all blame virtually on both government and big industry, particularly Ronald Regan and DuPont. In fact, it almost felt as though he suddenly dug up previous frustrations, laying them out boldly on the table one final time. Personally, politics and finger-pointing have found their way into climate change far too often. While most of us do have one opinion or another on these matters, I found its blatant use a bit below Carl’s typical premium standard of writing. Above all, his fierce blame of modern-day problems on previous decades, political figures, and companies was all but unnecessary. Overall, the jarring contrast between the poetic beginning and bitter end impeded Billions and Billions. But, ultimately, it felt that taking such a turn was the very thing that prevented this final work from being Sagan’s masterpiece. Political ranting aside, Billions and Billions remains a book worthy of any astronomical bookshelf. While I would strongly promote previous Sagan works over Billions and Billions, it still holds droves of worthwhile reading. After all, it is the final work of a man who practically built mainstream astronomy. About Carl Sagan What can we say about Carl Sagan that has not already been said? The man impacted science from general astronomy all the way through astrobiology and spaceflight. Particularly, Sagan was the most well-known scientist throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Certainly, he paved the way for future popular astronomers like Bill Nye and Neil Degrasse Tyson. Above all, Sagan successfully popularized astronomy and physics, primarily through his long-lasting television series, Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, later resumed by protege Degrasse Tyson. From late-night talk shows to congressional hearings, Carl Sagan embodied modern popular science and still serves as a permanent icon.

Astronomy

Alan Lightman “The Accidental Universe” Book Review

This is a review of the book The Accidental Universe: The World You Thought You Knew by Alan Lightman. The book’s poetic/philosophical voice will give you a unique outlook on the universe. If you want to get a review of this book, then you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dig right in! “The Accidental Universe: The World You Thought You Knew” by Alan Lightman Title: The Accidental Universe: The World You Thought You Knew Author: Alan Lightman Subject(s): Astronomy, Physics, Cosmology, Anthropology, Psychology Skill-level: Intermediate Published: November 7, 2013, Pantheon Reason to read: Lightman’s poetic/philosophical voice will give you a unique outlook on the universe. The Accidental Universe Review The Accidental Universe: The World You Thought You Knew is similar to many astrophysics and cosmology books, exploring the universe’s evolution. Yet, Lightman peers into the universe from such unique and fascinating vantage points. From spirituality to symmetry to size, you explore the unfathomable, massive, and even shocking aspects of our known universe and beyond. Plus, in typical Lightman fashion, each section is caked in anthropological and philosophical flavors. Compared to typical attributes, Accidental Universe takes you on a mental journey through our cosmos in a refreshing way, asking some of life’s most sought-after questions. Space Philosophy Alan Lightman’s passion for both art and science (see bio below) never seize to paint his work unique. After all, given the entire universe as a topic, abstract discussions and open-ended points are no simple task. Yet, Lightman sticks the landing. This is his wheelhouse. Taking concepts like universal symmetry and weaving in human kind’s desire for it is a brilliant and refreshing approach. Not to mention, Lightman often uses wonderful contrast, such as our devious desire for asymmetry. Great Debate. Bad Arena. As a whole, religion is a sensitive social topic. Furthermore, religion versus science is a wildly debated and highly charged match-up. Frankly, viewpoints aside, I found this topic to be unnecessary, especially as its own devoted section. However, I refuse to entirely hold Lightman accountable for two reasons. Firstly, more or less, this book is a composite, assembled from individual essays. Actually, as a standalone book, essay, or other literary work, this topic is prime. Personally, it struck me as an awkward outlier among the book’s other subjects. Second, Lightman, of course, offers generous banter towards both sides of this debate. As a result, this section overall remains rather fair. Yet, he also blatantly exclaims his particular views, thus, ultimately cheapening his generosities toward the opposing side. Yet, I am technically committing the same crimes in this very paragraph. Brevity In literature, brevity is not easily achieved. Certainly, scientific writing is far from an exception. In fact, attempting to explain subjects that no human totally understands often winds up requiring hundreds of pages. Now, given the right subject, author, book, and more, I never mind a sizeable read. But, I admire the brevity of Alan Lightman. Similar to his refreshing topical selections, the man carries such potent confidence in his work. Sticking iron-clad to his points, leaving out the extraneous, Lightman drives this book from start to finish. Again, for such a vast topic, his laser-focused approach is quite refreshing and admirable. Perhaps this is yet another benefit of a book compiled from individual essays. Any avid science enthusiast will benefit from reading The Accidental Universe. A pioneer in the field, Alan Lightman provides a one-of-a-kind reading experience full of odd but exceptional mashups like cosmology, philosophy, and psychology. Plus, his wonderful precision makes this a rather quick, enjoyable read. Bookshelf-worthy, no doubt. About Alan Lightman Tennessee-born physicist and author Alan Lightman held a deep fascination for both science and art from a young age. Those familiar with Lightman’s work can agree that his philosophical, quasi-poetic approach to explaining sciences demonstrates this flawlessly. During the 1970s and 80s, Lightman received a degree in physics from Princeton, his Ph.D. in theoretical physics from California Institute of Technology, and would be appointed to professor of science and writing and senior lecturer at renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Following years would only see further success for Lightman, cofounding MIT’s graduate science writing program and completely overhauling the university’s standards for communication. Scientifically, Lightman earned his stripes through contributions for astrophysical extremes. Among them are relativistic gravitational theory, accretion disk behaviors, extreme temperatures, densities, etc. Alan Lightman’s prolific writing career, best known for a national bestseller, Einstein’s Dream, has spanned several decades, continuing through the modern-day. Making national literary waves as runner-up for 1994 PEN New England/Boston Globe Award, 1998 NPR “Talk of the Nation” book club selection, and more, Lightman’s career has been both rich, unique, and enduring.

Astronomy

10 Things That Would Happen if We Had No Moon

Here are 10 things that would happen if we didn’t have the moon. How about much shorter days? So if you want to learn 10 things that would happen if the Moon went missing, then you’re in the right place. Let’s jump right in! 10 Things That Would Happen If the Moon Went Missing Our gleaming, silver Moon is a staple of the night sky. It has been the inaugural landing place for man, a calendar system for ancient civilizations, and more. Also, the Moon has several profound astronomical impacts on our Earth that you may not be aware of. But, what if we had no Moon? How would this impact life as we know it? Compared to 10 effects of having two Moons, the outcomes are much less chaotic. However, some of the impacts might surprise you or even downright shock you. Without further ado, here are the top 10 impacts that would happen if we had no Moon. #1 No More Eclipses. Ever. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, partially or completely blocking the Sun’s light. Alternatively, a lunar eclipse is when the Earth passes in between the Moon and the Sun, partially or completely blocking the Sun’s light from hitting the Moon. Ultimately, neither solar nor lunar eclipses would be possible ever again without a Moon. While these have zero impact on any biological factors, they are a rare treat for humans and would be missed. #2 High Tides Are No Longer High In 10 effects of having two Moons, we learned that our tides saw the greatest impact. They became vicious and deadly. On the other hand, if we had no Moon, the tides would also change, but much more favorably. Though the Moon and Sun both affect Earth’s tides, the Sun has a rather underwhelming impact overall. So, if we had no Moon, our tides would be about 40% as high as they are today, which would be quite small. And, while this would not hurt or help anything, it would be easily noticed. #3 Total Darkness at Night Every one of us has been outside at night during a full Moon and during a new Moon as well. But, we might have taken for granted how much light the Moon actually provides us with at night. Anyone who has been camping far outside of the city will attest that without man-made city lights, it is downright dark. If we had no Moon, this would be commonplace on any given night. While this would be a true blessing for backyard astronomers, it would definitely be a game-changer. #4 Need for Different Vision With no Moonlight to pleasantly illuminate our nights, the evolution of human eyes would be much different. One of the amazing things about advanced organisms is their natural ability to evolve to adapt to changing environments. Because of this, if we had no Moon, our eyes would slowly adjust over time to be able to see better at night. #5 Nocturnal Animals Would Evolve Too If we had no Moon, the dark nights would naturally put nocturnal predator’s prey at an alarming disadvantage. Therefore, the prey would organically evolve simply for the sake of survival. Furthermore, the nocturnal predators would also evolve and adapt to survive. With more intelligent prey, and more opportunities to hide in the darkness, the predator would also up its game, so to speak. Plus, the nocturnal predators with marginal night vision would be in trouble if we had no Moon, as the new darkness would be too much. #6 Our Days Would Be Much Shorter The Moon creates tidal friction on Earth. Basically, this means the slight gravity of the Moon gradually slows the Earth’s spinning down. If we had no Moon, we would have no tidal friction. The result of this would be a drastically faster spinning Earth, creating much shorter days. Also, this would cause drastically more days in a single year as well. #7 Earth Would Dangerously Wobble Complicated physics between Earth and gravity prevents it from wobbling while it orbits. If we had no Moon, the Earth would rock back-and-forth wildly as it traveled around the Sun. Obviously, this would create serious dangers for buildings, cities and people. #8 Axial Tilting Our Moon helps the Earth stay relatively fixed on its axis, meaning it helps us sit properly upright in relation to our orbit around the Sun. So, if we had no Moon, the Earth would tilt, often dramatically. This tilt would have tremendous effects on the climate because our poles would randomly change to Africa, Europe, and other atypical locations. Needless to say, freezing polar climates in new places, like Africa’s deserts, would be unusual. Occasionally, the Earth would sit completely upright on its axis. And, the result of this would be equally long days and nights. Also, this zero-tilt would temporarily eliminate seasons. #9 No Small Step for Man, Is One Nonexistent Leap for Mankind Sure, this one is complete speculation, but Apollo 11 would have never happened if we had no Moon. Arguably, mankind would still have never set foot beyond Earth. Our modern technologies are still planning on how to reach places like Mars. So, it stands to reasons that in previous decades, Mars travel would have been nearly infeasible. Furthermore, the Apollo program still serves as one of man’s greatest achievements. It was a point in time that served as an impetus for humans to strive and push their own limits. If we had no Moon, would Kennedy have made his lofty wager? Would space travel have been a focus for government spending? #10 We Would Have, and Will Survive Finally, if we had no Moon, life still would have sprung up and taken place. Also, if the Moon were there, only to disappear at a later time, we would still survive. In either case, there are no effects dramatic enough to eliminate mankind. Although, in both situations, life as we know it would be much different, as listed by all of the previous reasons. …

Astronomy

What Causes Moon Phases? (8 Moon Phases)

This is about the moon phases. The moon looks different every night. If you want to know what causes moon phases and all the details, then you’re in the right place. Let’s jump right in! The 8 Moon Phases Humans have marveled at our beautiful Moon for centuries. It has been the subject of: Love songs The cause of astronomical mysteries An ancient calendar system And lots more As our Moon goes through its phases, the distinct shapes it takes on are instantly recognizable by nearly all of us. However, the names of each phase, the order in which they occur, and why they happen are something that many of us can’t explain. Let’s figure it out! Why Does the Moon Have Phases? Half of the Moon is always illuminated by the Sun. But, because our Moon is constantly orbiting the Earth, we see the illuminated or lit-up part from different angles throughout the month. This causes our Moon’s phases! For instance, the image below shows the angle at which we see the Moon during its Waxing Crescent phase. Since we see the illuminated portion of the Moon at an angle, it appears to take on a crescent-like shape. The visual outcome of all of the Moon’s phases are explained in the next sections. #1 New Moon The Earth, the Moon, and the Sun are in a nearly straight line with one another. With the Moon being in between Earth and the Sun, its illuminated portion is on the other side of the Moon, out of sight to us. This phase makes the Moon unable to be seen by Earth. #2 Waxing Crescent Moon To “wax” means to increase in power. Therefore, as the illuminated portion of the Moon slowly becomes more visible to us on Earth, it is increasing. During the Waxing Crescent phase, the Moon becomes slightly illuminated but less than halfway. #3 First Quarter Moon (or Half Moon) The Moon is now one-quarter of the way through its cycle, giving it the name Quarter Moon. At this point, the Moon is seen by Earth in a straight line, but its illuminated portion is still perpendicular to us. Only half of it is lit up. This is why this phase is sometimes referred to as a Half Moon. #4 Waxing Gibbous Moon The Moon’s illuminated portion now fills more than half of the Moon but is still not full. The term Gibbous is an astronomy term referring to something that is convex (or rounded) at both edges, like the shape of the Moon’s lit portion during this phase. #5 Full Moon This phase is similar to the New Moon in that the Earth, Moon and Sun are nearly aligned once again. Only this time, the Earth lies in between the Moon and the Sun. Now the Moon’s illuminated portion is pointed directly at us, and its face appears completely lit. #6 Waning Gibbous Moon The illuminated portion of the Moon is now decreasing in power or waning but is still more than halfway lit. The lit portion’s sides, once again, appear rounded on both sides, giving the name Waning Gibbous (see #4 for the explanation of Gibbous). #7 Third Quarter Moon The Moon is now three-quarters of the way through its cycle. And, like the First Quarter, we see the Moon at a straight angle but see the illuminated portion perpendicularly. The Moon appears half-lit once again. #8 Waning Crescent Moon The illuminated portion of the Moon is now nearly gone, and the Moon again appears as a crescent shape. Now, the Moon’s cycle is complete, its illuminated portion is completely invisible to us, and it starts the cycle all over again. We’re back to a New Moon! Moon Phases Calendar 2021